Motorcycle fork restraint device

Abstract

A restraint device for being secured on a telescopic suspension comprising a first portion, which may be a fork band comprising a first restraining hook, a second portion comprising a body, a trigger, at least one magnetic member, and a second restraining hook, wherein the first restraining hook and the second restraining hook are configured to selectively engage one another to secure the suspension in a compressed position, and wherein the at least one magnetic member is configured to retract the second restraining hook when the device is disengaged to permit normal operation of the suspension.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A suspension restraint device comprising:
 a telescopic suspension comprising:
 an outer tube, 
 an inner tube, and 
 wherein the outer tube and the inner tube are configured to be movable relative to one another; 
 
 a first portion secured to a first location on the suspension, the first portion comprising:
 an engagement portion; and 
 
 a second portion secured to a second location on the suspension, the second portion comprising:
 a body, 
 a lever-actuated restraining hook configured to selectively engage the engagement portion of the first portion to secure the suspension in a partially compressed position, and 
 at least one magnetic member configured to retract the restraining hook. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the telescopic suspension further comprises a fork guard. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion is secured to the fork guard. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lever-actuated restraining hook comprises a trigger. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4 , wherein the trigger comprises a curved surface configured to accommodate the setting of the device by a gloved hand. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one magnetic member comprises:
 a first magnetic member coupled to the body of the second portion; 
 a second magnetic member coupled to the trigger; and 
 wherein the first and second magnetic members are configured to create a magnetic force tending to retract the restraining hook into the body. 
 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion of the first portion comprises a second restraining hook configured to engage the lever-actuated restraining hook. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7 , the second restraining hook comprising:
 an interference surface configured to engage the lever-actuated restraining hook, and 
 a chamfered surface; and 
 wherein the lever-actuated restraining hook comprises:
 an interference surface configured to engage the second restraining hook, and 
 a chamfered surface, thereby allowing the chamfered surface of the lever-actuated restraining hook to glide over the chamfered surface of the second hook as the restraint device is being set. 
 
 
     
     
       9. A method of using a suspension restraint device, the method comprising:
 compressing said suspension; 
 lifting a lever actuated restraining hook against a biasing magnetic force and engaging it with an engagement portion of the suspension; and 
 disengaging the hook from the engagement portion, wherein the hook retracts to provide clearance from the engagement portion. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  wherein the disengaging is accomplished by braking or encountering a bump. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9  wherein the retraction is accomplished through at least one magnetic member.